If you follow trends, you’ve probably noticed photos of cottage gardens floating around the internet in recent years. Characterized by abundant, mixed plantings that burst with color and texture, this style of garden has an informal, romantic air that feels like something out of a fairytale.

Cottage gardens have been around for a long time, originating in the English countryside in the 15th century. People took small plots of land and turned them into multipurpose gardens densely planted with vegetables, fruits, herbs and, yes, even a few flowers — although they typically were grown for culinary and medicinal uses back then. Some of these gardens even doubled as space for keeping livestock and beehives.

By the 19th century, cottage gardens began to shift from practical to ornamental. The

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